IPPA Clip Contest Totals for 2007
Congratulations to Ron Johnson of Peoria Journal Star, winner of 2007 IPPA Clip Contest with 847 points.
Point totals over 150:
847-Ron Johnson
819-David Zentz
519-Fred Zwicky
469-Danielle Gardner
465-John Starks
449-John Badman
387-Clay Stalter
283-Craig Watson
212-Steve Warmowski
182-Adam Gerik
180-Heather Eidson
163-Matt Dayhoff
November 2007 IPPA Clip Contest results
November 2007
Judges: University of Kentucky Photojournalism Instructor Jim Winn and students.(Robin’ s note- I originally sent this month’s clips to the Lexington Herald-Leader, who in turn sent it to UK).
NEWS
First: Reflections
David Zentz
Journal Star
comments: Photographer worked this situation really well. Composition gave this photo depth and really catches attention. This is a fresh view on the scene.
Second: bus accident
David Zentz
Journal Star
comments: This photographer was working on their toes. Photo combines all the information necessary to tell the story, and the photographer made an eye-catching and interesting photograph.
Third: barn fire
John Starks
Daily Herald
comments: Silhouettes have to be really strong to stand out. this clean photo emphasizes what is happening with a clean composition.
HM: Wounded soldier
Ron Johnson
Journal Star
Comments:This photo works really well throughout the entire frame. From being able to see the burns and wraps on his arms, to seeing the girl behind his son and the flags in the background. This picture wasn’t as unique as first through third though.
HM: Women With Pets
John Badman
Telegraph
Comments: It’s nice to see a fire photo that isn’t just firemen at a blaze. This photo makes the reader care about what happened, and catches your eye. But this photo could have been worked better.
SPORTS
First: Wide football
Clay Stalter
Jacksonville Journal-Courier
The sports category was pretty weak overall, and this non-traditional football photo immediately stood out. We were really glad to see the photographer take a chance and put a wide lens on to shoot football, and they also did a good job of including another player in the foreground to add depth.
Second: Pretzel bkb
Clay Stalter
Jacksonville
Like how tight the frame is and how the photographer kept the frame horizontal in this situation. Caught the moment at it’s peak and managed to keep the entire ball in the frame.
Third: State Dreams Blocked
Clay Stalter
Jacksonville
Good job keeping things tight and having some layers in this frame. Overall the photo is a touch dull, emotionally, so the moment in the middle holds things together. Not our favorite photo, but was the strongest candidate for third in this weaker category.
HM: Aurora FB
Craig Watson
Aurora Beacon News
Good job catching these guys breaking down among all the other standing players. We preferred the uncropped version much more than the cropped and based our judging off that one.
FEATURE SINGLE
First: Saying grace
David Zentz
Journal Star
The photographer pulling back from the subjects made them feel small and lost in their environment, and added an element of mood to to the image that speaks about being old and alone on Thanksgiving. Well done.
Second: football kiss
Danielle Gardner
Naperville Sun
Captured a small slice of life really well, and used negative space well to give context and emotion to the picture.
Third: Carillon
Beck Diefenbach
Naperville Sun
Thought the photographer did a really good job of making this situation visually appealing. very creative on an everyday assignment.
HM: Baby
Danielle Gardner
Naperville Sun
Photographer did a good job of catching a moment that interjected some energy into what would otherwise be a pretty static picture of some people just sitting around.
HM: Tradition
Ron Johnson
Journal star
Thought the photographer did a really good job of making a visually appealing picture our of a pretty difficult situation. Also did a good job of waiting until the man took his hat off so that the picture had a little movement, and thought the photographer used the mural on the wall well.
FEATURE MULTIPLE
First: Beating the Odds
David Zentz
Journal Star
This was really well done. It’s great to see a paper give so much play to a photo story., and to see the photographer’ s dedication. The photo on the inside of the woman crawling through her house should have been played larger, but the package still works really well. The design worked well throughout every page as well.
Second: Just for Show
John Badman
The Telegraph
While this story could have been edited much tighter, it was still a nice slice of life from this band. It’s nice to see photos get such large play in the paper.
Third: Gameday
Heather Eidson
Beacon News
This was a great idea. A portrait series really beats out a normal season preview or comparison. Each photo was given thought, and the photographer worked hard to make this a fun and interesting piece. Some of the photographs could have been lit better, such as the dunk picture with the ankle braces. Overall, strong package.
HM: BASSKETBALL
Clay Stalter
Journal Courier
Bassketball showed nice play in the paper, great design and a strong one or two photos. The photographer was creative with the remote of the goal, and the dominant photo was very nice. The main photograph actually should have been entered in sports single.
IPPA Monthly Clip Contest Winners December 2007
IPPA Monthly Clip Contest Winners December:
Date Clips Received: Jan 26, 2008
Date Judged: Jan. 30, 2008
Judges: New Haven Register, New Haven Conn.Mara Lavitt, Arnold Gold, Brad Horrigan, Peter Hvizdak, all staff photographers
News
1st
Photographer: David Zalaznik
Publication: Peoria Journal Star
Date Published: 12/27/08
Description: Praying at Fire
Judges Comments: Very nicely composed, stood out as number one, tells the story well after the fact.
2nd
Photographer: Matt Dayhoff
Publication: Peoria Journal Star
Date Published: 12/20/07
Description: Hogs Corralled
Judges Comments: Well composed, we like the lone figure on the upper right, news with a wry twist.
3rd
Photographer: Carlos T. Miranda
Publication: The Pantagraph
Date Published: 12/7/07
Description: Dog leaves fire
Judges Comments: Sometimes it’s a matter of getting to the news in time. Nice moment and clean.
News Catagory Comments:
A lot of photographs that just weren’t strong enough. The winners stood right out.
Feature
1st
Photographer: Ron Johnson
Publication: Peoria Journal Star
Date Published: 12/16/07
Description: Snowflake
Judges Comments: We all went for it – nice moment, graphically strong – we’ve all been there and would love to come back with this photo.
2nd
Photographer: Fred Zwick
Publication: Peoria Journal Star
Date Published: 12/16/07
Description: Blood Santa
Judges Comments: Excellent emotion captured. Reader wants to take time with this photo.
3rd
Photographer: Kate Szrom
Publication: Naperville Sun
Date Published: 12/21/07
Description: 4th Anniversary
Judges Comments: Well worked, well seen, excellent emotion.
HM
David Zentz
Peoria Journal Star
12/6/07
Afternoon Light
Great use of light which conveys the moment perfectly. And of course, clean composition.
HM
David Zentz
Peoria Journal Star
12/19/07
Patrolling the Aisles
Fun moment, nice composition, great interaction between the subjects.
Feature Catagory Comments:
Nice range of photos, provided the most discussion of which would be the winners.
Feature Multiple
1st
Photographer: Ron Johnson
Publication: Peoria Journal Star
Date Published: 12/23/07
Description: Santa Paws
Judges Comments: The best photographs in the category. Less is more – far stronger with fewer images. The pictures we would have edited out were used the largest (the problem with not editing down). There were some wonderful moments, well seen.
2nd
Photographer: Fred Zwicky
Publication: Peoria Journal Star
Date Published: 12/23/07
Description: Hope for Tim
Judges Comments: Very nice collection of well-seen moments. Overall gives an optimistic feel. Tells this guy’s story in photos well.
3rd
Photographer: Todd Mizener
Publication: The Dispatch
Date Published: 12/23/07
Description: Books
Judges Comments: Good execution of creative idea. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see the books themselves in several photos reflecting more about having too many pictures used (too small). Obviously, expressions were wonderful but we would have edited out 1/3 of the photos.
Feature Multiple Catagory Comments:
Strong category. Lots of different styles and subjects from serious to funny.
Sports
1st
Photographer: Ron Johnson
Publication: Peoria Journal Star
Date Published: 12/2/07
Description: Hot Dog/Football Team
Judges Comments: Fun moment, clean composition, very well seen. Nice juxtaposition between boyhood and high school.
2nd
Photographer: Steve Warmowski
Publication: Jacksonville Journal-Courier
Date Published: 12/1/07
Description: Missed Free Throw/Bench
Judges Comments: Different take on an emotional bench reaction photograph. Ball in image separates it from similar pictures.
3rd
Photographer: Katy Mull
Publication: Ottawa Times
Date Published: 12/31/07
Description: Championship Loss
Judges Comments: Quality juxtaposition of winning/losing. Angle is different. Gives equal weight to winners and losers. Why was it run wallet sized?
HM
Photographer: Ron Johnson
Publication: Peoria Journal Star
Date Published: 12/24/07
Description: Bears Celebrate
Judges Comments: classic jubilation, clean, sharp, right to the point, peak moment.
Sports Catagory Comments:
There were some good action photos, but our winners took the storytelling to the next level. We think there should be two categories in the future: Sports Action and Sports Feature.
Illustration
1st
Photographer: Danielle Gardner
Publication: Naperville Sun
Date Published: 12/13/07
Description: Ben Franklin
judges comments-
Creative and graphically simple and strong. Clearly stood out as well as illustrating the story.
2nd
Photographer: Beck Diefenbach
Publication: Naperville Sun
Date Published: 10/31/07
Description: Flying Candy
judges comments-
We found it comical and ever-so-slightly disgusting. A caption would have helped.
3rd NONE
Photographer:
Publication:
Date Published:
Description:
judges comments-
Illustration Comments:
A tough category to judge. Few standouts.
Portrait/Personality
1st
Photographer: Eric Sumberg
Publication: Daily Chronicle
Date Published: 11/16/07
Description: Swimmers
Judges comments-
Stand-out photo. Nothing wrong with this photo at all.
2nd
Photographer: Rebekah Raleigh
Publication: Northwest Herald
Date Published: 11/29/07
Description: Mom and Baby
Judges comments-
Super clean, powerful moment beautifully realized by the photographer. Another stellar photo as the first.
3rd
Photographer: Ron Johnson
Publication: Peoria Journal Star
Date Published: 11/7/07
Description: Veteran
Judges comments-
The colors, the angles, the lighting, the subject’s expression. It’s all there.
HM
Photographer: David Zentz
Publication: Peoria Journal Star
Date Published: 11/7/07
Description: Tennis Player
Judges comments-
Lovely light, clean, great composition, simple, strong.
Portrait/personalit y Comments:
This and Feature single were the most fun to judge. Lots to choose from and discuss. In all the winning photos the photographer used light beautifully, the subject of the photo easily understood.
IPPA Clip Contest points through October 2007
CLIP POINTS THROUGH OCTOBER
(100 points and over)
648–Ron Johnson
610–David Zentz
435–Fred Zwicky
431–John Starks
400–John Badman
370–Danielle Gardner
276–Craig Watson
260–Clay Stalter
178–Adam Gerik
168–Steve Warmowski
146–Heather Eidson
129–Bill Gaither
124–Scott Bort
119–Matt Dayhoff
116–Pete Hoffman
105–Kendra Helmer
100–Tom Sistak
Two more months to go!!
IPPA Photo Contest Results Sept 2007
IPPA Photo Contest Results Sept 2007
Judges: Evansville(IN) Courier-Bob Gwaltnry, Photo Editor Cecelia Hanley, Erin McCracken, Denny Simmons, Vincent Pugliese
NEWS
First: Man Throws Tires 9/8/07
John Badman
The Telegraph
comments: Has moment, composition and emotion
Second: Bomb threat 9/8/07
John Badman
The Telegraph
comments: Almost first. Good job of finding a good picture from a
situation that often yields boring photos like the second image.
Third: Family Escapes fire-9/14/07
John Badman
The Telegraph
comments: good emotional photo
HM- Police Recover Stolen Car 9/15/07
John Badman
The Telegraph
comments: Another example of the photographer finding a picture that
works
SPORTS
First: Cheerleader peeks under banner 9/15/07
Craig Watson
Aurora Beacon News
Nice, funny moment, stood out from action photos
Second: Golfer in high rough 9/28/07
Matt Dayhoff
Peoria Journal Star
Unusual moment in golf photography, with weeds attached to club.
Third: Leaping soccer player 9/20/07
Steve Warmowski
Jacksonville Journal Courier
good moment of unusually high kick
HM: Jim Thome Celebration 9/18/07
Adam Gerick
Peoria Journal Star
FEATURE SINGLE
First: Hay Bales- 9/29/07
Clayton Stalter
Jacksonville Journal Courier
A visual pun, but still funny
Second: Cowboy runs from bull 9/18/07
John Starks
Daily Herald
Interesting framing and strong moment
Third: 4 year old dances with mother 9/22/07
Ron Johnson
Peoria Journal Star
A loose shot held together with strong emotion
FEATURE MULTIPLE
First: Hennepin Canal 9/23/07
David Zentz
Peoria Journal Star
Every photo is strong
Second: Struggling to be normal 9/9/07
Fred Zwicky
Peoria Journal Star
Nice story, too many pictures
Third: The magic of Fermi 9/26/07
Rick West
Daily Herald
Interesting pictures
ILLUSTRATION
First: Harry Potter Knits 7/16/07
Kate Szrom
Sun Publications
no comments
Second: Pigskin Snaps 8/23/07
Eric Sumberg
Daily Chronicle
no comments
Third: Football Portraits 8/21/07
Kate Szrom
Sun Publications
no comments
PORTRAIT/PERSONALIT Y
First: Phil Doubet and Door 9/223/07
David Zentz
Journal Star
This image just grew on us the more we looked at others
Second: Girl and her cow 7/24/07
Robin Scholz
News Gazette
Real nice portrait and moment
Third: Woman with hair braids 9/23/07
David Zentz
Peoria Journal Star
Very eye-catching portrait
IPPA Oct 2007 Clip Contest Results
IPPA Oct 2007 Clip Contest Results
Judges: Colorado Springs Gazette-Kevin Kreck, Mark Reis, Bryan Oller, Kirk Speer, Carol Lawrence and Todd Spoth.
NEWS
First: Time For Healing
Fred Zwicky
Journal Star
comments:Compositio n, layering and emotion put the photo into the top spot. Nice job getting in close and still paying attention to the background.
Second: Comfort
T. J. Salsman
State Journal-Register
comments:Really good job of being prepared for, and capturing, a real moment seemingly after the peak action was through
Third: Crash Aftermath
John Badman
The Telegraph
comments:Nice shot from an event over and done with. The woman’s expression takes it from a dog feature to a news photo.
SPORTS
First: Crushed
Adam Gerik
The Journal Star
By far the hardest category to judge, with many good entries leading to a lot of discussion. All three people in the winning image contribute to the sense of loss; the layering through the image contributed it’s success, winning over those who disliked the out of focus person in the foreground
Second: Knox Football
Bill Gaither
The Register-Mail
Really good moment, well beyond the usual action shot. Excessive computer toning knocked it out of first place.
Third: GHS Swimming
Bill Gaither
The Register Mail
Nice timing/placement of the diver, and including the judges in this image moved it into the third position. Lots of discussion over including the hand rails (most liked the context) and wondering what it would look like as a deep vertical.
HM: Trip
David Zentz
Peoria Journal Star
Nice expression and an airborne player won this image votes; not as good expression/moment from the other player kept it out of top place.
FEATURE SINGLE
First: Stretch
John Starks
Daily Herald
Repeating lines drew us to this image, as well as the bold color. The action of the subject put the human touch needed to make a winning image.
Second: Bowler
Brian Powers
Sun Publications
Expression was the draw for this image, as well as the nice light.
Third: T-Ball
Brian Hill
Daily Herald
Every kid in the picture contributes to the success of this image. Nice separation from the busy background. The fact that it’s from a photo column solved the dilemma some of us had with the photog’s kid in the picture.
HM: Haunting Tales
Steve Warmowski
Jacksonville Journal-Courier
We also liked the image of the story teller with the creepy shadow, a nice shot in a tough lighting situation
FEATURE MULTIPLE
First: Father’s Love
Danielle Gardner
Naperville Sun
Content made this the easy winner. Great, intimate access and numerous powerful images made for a story well done
Second: Controlled Burn
David Zentz
Peoria Journal Star
A collection of good images from what had to be tough shooting conditions, providing a variety of views of spinning fire.
Third: House with Class
Ron Johnson
The Journal Star
A strong lead image and time put into the story put this story in third.
August IPPA Clip Contest Results
Clip results for August are in. Judges were Bangor Daily News Staff
Photographers Kevin Bennett, Bridget Brown and Kate Collins.
News-
1st-Eric Sumberg, Daily Chronicle, Monster Truck Demo Accident. 8/10/07
comments: The judges felt the photographer was Johnny on the spot, getting
to the scene and doing his best to document the news as it was unfolding
in front of him. The photo capturers the immediacy and gravity of the
scene. All the important elements are included in the frame.
2nd-Kendra Helmer, Kane County Chronicle. Flooding couple. 8/26/07
comments: the judges liked this photo because it delivered the news while
telling something about the couple and the mood of the scene. The photo
has all the essential layers–the water, the couple and the home.
3rd-Adam Gerik, The Journal Star. Fire Death Memorial. 8/14/07
comments: The judges loved the light and the subjects expressions in this
photo.
though it didn’t tell as much of the story as the other two photos, it was
a powerful shot which made us stop and look.
category comments: The judges were expecting more competition due to the
combined spot news and general news but found the category rather easy to
judge. The good stuff rose to the top and that’s what we chose to award.
Sports-
1st-Fred Zwicky, Journal Star, Hell Week Yawn . 8/9/07
comments: This photo captures the heat of August football practice in the
Midwest. The photographer framed the subject well and we feel his pain.
2nd-Ron Johnson, The Journal Star. Under the Weather. 8/24/07
comments: The photographer captured the mood of the event well using the
field lights mixing with the sky to add to the color palette. Some judges
felt the horizon shouldn’t have been tilted so extremely, but the majority
found it to be pleasing given the subject’s position in the cloud break.
3rd-David Zentz, The Journal Star. Illinois “State Football 8/20/07
comments: the photographer captured a moment of peak action with a sharp,
clean image which gives the viewer a sense of impact.
category comments: The judges felt the category was average overall. We
weren’t particularly wowed by anything, bur felt the images that won
offered a different perspective and thoughtful composition.
Feature-
1st-Tom Sistak, The Times. This Life. 8/29/07
comments: The photographer’ s patience and alertness allowed him to capture
the experience of a flood from a kid’s perspective. Waiting for this
moment paid off in the resulting image.
2nd-John Starks, The Daily Herald. Perspective on Woods Creek Lake. 8/21/07
comments: This photograph is a good feeling, but we wished the
photographer worked the angle more, getting lower and separating the
foreground from the background tree line. The photo is a unique look at
an early morning sporting event.
3rd-Lane Christiansen, The Journal Star. Pool of Legs 8/6/07
comments: The judges liked that the photographer saw this and it was
unusual for a kids and water shot. Some thought that the photo could be
cleaner, but the “drive by” angle offered context which pleased others.
HM- Ron Johnson, Journal Star. Little Atlas. 8/17/07.
comments: Kevin Bennett wanted to award this photo an honorable mention
even though it did nothing for the other judges. Bennett saw in this photo
the innocence of a little boy and the hope he holds for the world which is
in his hands.
category comments: It seemed the whole category was about water, kids and
heat. Despite this, it was by far the strongest category we judged which
elicited a great debate among the judges. In the end, the best composed
pictures with the strongest moments won.
Feature Multiple-
1st-Ron Johnson. “The Journal Star. Life in the Fast Lane. 8/26/07
comments: The photos in this story had snap and good variety. The
photographer put in time and got to know thier subjects and, as a result,
the photos fell spontaneous and not forced.
2nd-Beck Diefenbach, The Naperville Sun Tiny Angels. 8/17/07
comments: The judges felt the photographer had good access to a sensitive
subject which made for moving pictures. Thought he photos were most
likely all taken in a day, the photographer mixed up the scaling and
composition enough to make it feel complete.
3rd-Shannon Kirshner, The State Journal-Register. Gotta Dance. 8/3/07
comments: the judges granted this third place but felt that the photos
could have been better edited. The three, very different photos on the
front spread do a great job at telling most of the story. These three
pictures could have been the extent of the images, maybe with just a
detail shot added and forgetting about all of those on the back of the
spread.
category comments: The judges thought the category choices were slim. We
weren’t in love with anything, but the stories we chose featured intimate
moments that took time to gain the subjects trust, along with a variety of
images.